Queen represented the state's 47th Senate district, including constituents in Avery, Haywood, Madison, McDowell, Mitchell and Yancey counties.

[6] He was a vocal leader in the call to expand Medicaid in North Carolina and issues such as raising teacher pay.

[8] An architect and a sixth generation resident of Haywood County, Queen is also heavily involved in other civic and cultural activities, including producing the summer street dances on Main Street in Waynesville and serving as director of the Smoky Mountain Folk Festival for more than 30 years.

[9][10] He has also served as a boy scout master, a Sunday school teacher, a youth soccer coach and on various boards and committees.

He is married to Dr. Kate Queen and has two children, both of whom are graduates of North Carolina State University.